Abstract: An operation device includes a housing, an operation member, and a detector. The housing includes an electrically conductive portion on a surface thereof. The operation member is supported by the housing such that the operation member is movable in response to an operation by an operation body, and is configured to be capacitively coupled to the operation body and to the electrically conductive portion. The detector is configured to detect whether the operation body is in proximity to the operation member based on a change in capacitance at the electrically conductive portion.

Abstract: The relay has a movable first contact, a second contact, and an actuating element operatively connected with an armature of the relay. The first contact is movable toward the second contact by the actuating element and dependent on a supply of current to the relay. A snap action spring connects the second contact to a housing of the relay. The second contact is positioned between two arrangements by the snap action spring.

Abstract: A pressure switch includes an external force transmission mechanism for separating a cover from a housing. The cover and the external force transmission mechanism defines a first pressure chamber, and the housing and the external force transmission mechanism defines a second pressure chamber. In the second pressure chamber, a movable piece having first and second movable members arranged opposite to each other and one or more fixed contacts are disposed. The first and second movable members are connected to each other via a flat spring. A contact is disposed on the second movable member and functions as a movable contact. The external force transmission mechanism applies an external force to the first movable member to displace the first movable member, and the second movable member is reversed at the operating point of the first movable member, so that the movable contact is brought into contact with the fixed contact.

Abstract: An actuator assembly is for a short-depth rocker switch including a housing having an opening, a cavity, a base, and a first depth between the opening and base. The actuator assembly includes an operating member having a first end disposed proximate the opening, and a second end extending into the cavity, and, an over-center mechanism disposed proximate the first end of the operating member, distal from the second end of the operating member. The over-center mechanism comprises a one or two-piece shaped element which defines a plurality of operating characteristics of the operating member, and which has a second depth which is less than about 25 percent of the first depth of the housing. This enables the overall depth of the rocker switch to be relatively short in comparison to known designs. A sensor for detecting the position of the second end of the operating member is also disclosed.

Abstract: An electrical switch includes a casing having a central and two side chambers that are separated from the central chamber by respective partitions. A switching mechanism in each second chamber has fixed and moving contacts and an actuator. A rocker in the central chamber is used to cause the actuators to move the moving contacts into contact with and out of contact from the fixed contacts. There is also included engaging means engaging each actuator to the rocker for movement thereby, which has a circular part that extends across the first and second chambers rotatably snugly through a circular hole in the partition such that partitioning between the central and side chambers is substantially splash, jet or dust proof.

Abstract: An AC/DC switch for electric power tools avoids bouncing when turned on, but assures quick cutting-off of heavy current. Operation does not vary with age, as might be caused by wearing of projections of the switching mechanism and/or inconsistency in spring material. A reversal spring quickly switches the mechanism on and off so that the movable contacts are brought close to the stationary contacts before the turning-on, thereby permitting the turning-on subsequent to traverse of the reversal point without bouncing of the movable contacts from the stationary contacts, and preventing movement of the movable contacts before reversal spring has stored increased energy, thus allowing quick release of stored energy to make the movable contacts leave the stationary contacts at a speed sufficient to prevent electric arcs between the movable and stationary contacts, and hence prevent the wearing of the contacts.

Abstract: Disclosed is an AC/DC switch for electric power tools which is free of bouncing at the time of turning on, still assuring the quick cutting-off of heavy current. In the improved electric switch the timing of turning-on and -off is guaranteed to be free from variation with age, which would be caused by wearing some projections of the switching mechanism and/or inconsistency in spring material. The electric switch, therefore, has a long-life and a high rating.

Abstract: A quick-break switch in which, for switching-over purposes under the spring force (1) of a switching element, the two individual wedge faces of a wedge surface are felt. In order to render the pressure point more perceptible, in particular when the switch is manually operated, the wedge faces are curved. These curves can also help to improve the switching behavior of the switch with respect to the switching process and contact-making.

Abstract: A snap switch having spring a spring energy store and wedge profile. In conventional switches, the wedge profile was attached to the end of the contact arm, which forms the moving switching element. Heating of the contact arm due to large, switched electrical currents results in heating of the wedge profile and thus to a possible retardation of the switching, which, in turn, contributes to an additional heating of the wedge profile. The wedge profile is positioned where a low heat effect is expected. Thus, the wedge profile is seated under pretension at the switching element, where the contact arm forms a single sheet metal part whose one end senses the wedge profile.

Abstract: A push button switch, particularly a master switch, has housing-affixed contacts (4, 7) and at least one contact bridge (8, 9) movable by a spring plunger (10). A spring-switching mechanism (24, 25, 26) is operatively coupled between the spring plunger and a manually-movable sliding switch, or switch actuator, (22). A guiding, or sliding, locking linkage apparatus for the sliding switch (22), which includes two locking parts, a first of which is a track (27) and a second of which is a follower lever (28) for engaging the track. Upon alternate depressions of the sliding switch, the sliding switch alternately moves between "on" and "off" positions. In order to prevent damage to the locking apparatus upon a pulling of the sliding switch in a direction opposite to a direction of depression of the sliding switch, the first and second locking parts release from the housing to follow movement of the sliding switch.

Abstract: A push button switch, particularly a master switch, has housing-affixed contacts (4, 5) and a contact bridge (8) for bridging the contacts, with the bridge being moved by a spring plunger (10). A spring-switching mechanism (24, 25, 26) is operatively coupled between the spring plunger and a manually-movable sliding switch, or switch actuator, (22). The sliding switch (22) is engaged by a guiding, or sliding, locking linkage (27, 28) to be alternately moved between "on" and "off" positions upon being pushed in.